Fresh start: Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed Ashley has been taken in by the rescue centre

Dumped on roadsides or abandoned in cardboard boxes, these puppies have one thing in common – they are looking for new homes.

Staff at one rescue centre have taken in a record 16 puppies in only five days as Christmas presents lose their novelty and breeders struggle to sell their litters.

The arrivals include Sam, a 12-week-old springer spaniel who is being nursed back to health after being found suffering from the painful skin condition mange, and Sky, a ten-week-old Staffordshire bull terrier who came in with a broken leg and had been kept in a cupboard all of her life.

Recession: These seven Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among a growing number of animals to be looked after at the rescue as owners struggle to afford the cost during tough economic times

Nicky Owen from North Clwyd Animal Rescue, near Holywell, north Wales, said many of the pets had been bred for sale over Christmas but were abandoned after nobody bought them.

She added: ‘Getting 16 puppies in five days is a record for our centre after Christmas. People have been breeding pups and just not being able to sell them.

‘I think it has something to do with the recession. People think they can sell puppies for £500 each, but they don’t realise that they will only get that sort of money for pure breeds.

‘We’ve had all sorts of weird crosses brought in, probably due to the success of dogs like the labradoodle, but they simply haven’t been attractive to buyers.

Recovering well: Sam, a 12-week-old springer spaniel, had mange

Dumped: Shih tzu crosses Jim and Jane with pups Jade, Jess and Jack

‘It’s really sad, but the puppies are adorable. They are really cheeky, playful little things, so I’m hopeful we should be able to find good homes for them.’

Two adult shih tzu crossbreeds and their three scruffy puppies melted the hearts of staff at the centre after they were found dumped in a cardboard box close to a main road two weeks ago.

The parents have been named Jane and Jim, and their four-week-old puppies have been called Jade, Jess and Jack.

‘It is lucky that a member of the public found them, they couldn’t have survived the night,’ Miss Owen said. The centre has also taken an eight-strong litter of eight-week-old Jack Russell crosses and a Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed called Ashley.